"Is this the best day of my life?" asked Foxx, after winning Best Actor in a musical or comedy film. "Yes, it is!" he exclaimed to reporters.

Dressed in a dapper dark suit, with a fake tattoo adorning his shaved head for an upcoming movie, Foxx attributed divine inspiration to his grandmother Estelle Marie Talley and Ray Charles himself, who died last year.

Even larger-than-life Vogue editor Andrť Leon Talley jokingly asked Foxx if he could be his stylist. Foxxís star is rising, certainly, and shows no signs of dimming out.

The same could be said of the Golden Globes, held at the Beverly Hilton and once a mere forerunner to the Academy Awards in terms of audience appeal. Presented by the 90-member Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the Globes in recent years has gained a massive following. Television and film stars, honored for their work, stride the red carpet in full-on fashion party mode.

"Edna would say, 'It is the best of times, it is the worst of times, and politeness requires that I not say who represents which side,'" said director Brad Bird, in a riotous fake accent, summoning up half-pint fashion designer "Edna" from his animated film "The Incredibles," a nominee.

With many actresses sticking to dresses, albeit beautiful, in basic black or clean white, and some skirting the perimeter of blue, pink and brown, the Globes showcased only a few exceptions to the rule.

"I think itís good to have a different style every time you go out on the red carpet," said German actress Diane Kruger, who co-starred in "National Treasure" and "Troy," and also co-presented an award. "Iím not that comfortable wearing gowns with trains, and people stepping on you the whole time."

Kruger took the prize for wearing the most daring dress of the evening, a knee-length Indian inspired ensemble of strapless gold cloth and drapery, designed by British newcomer Marchesa. Her blonde hair mirrored chin-length styles depicted in Martin Scorsese's "The Aviator," the winner of three awards, including Best Picture Drama.

Cate Blanchett (news), nominated for Best Supporting Actress as Katherine Hepburn in "The Aviator," also wore her hair in a blonde bob, her floor-length periwinkle blue dress by Jean-Paul Gaultier decorated with cloth flowers.

"Ever since I was in high school, Iíve loved 1940s suits," said the attractive and lithe actress, referring to Hepburnís look. "She really revolutionized the way women saw themselves."

Scarlett Johansson, nominated for "A Love Song for Bobby Long," took old Hollywood glamour a step further. In scarlet red lipstick and 1940s Lana Turner blonde waves, Johansson filled out a superb curve-grabbing peach silk taffeta couture gown by British designer Roland Mouret. With a broach accenting the back, she looked fresh and flawlessly elegant.

"The '40s inspired footwear is really coming back strong," said Rose, a former orthopedic surgeon. "Heels are getting chunkier, finally, after five years of stilettos. I think all women are looking for a break."

Prince, in a fitted black suit and neon pink scarf, stomped down the red carpet in boots also heavy on the heel, but undoubtedly a striking and rock and roll-tinged look for him.

Actor Johnny Depp (news), nominated for his role in "Finding Neverland," appeared scruffy but austerely hip in a double-breasted blue vintage suit, spats and an Erica Courtney silver skull bracelet. "Sideways" composer Rolfe Kent wore a kilt and fur pouch with a tuxedo top.

"Itís the only clean thing I had left," Kent said, jokingly. "Sideways," the indie film about wine, women and neurosis, picked up two awards, for Best Screenplay and Best Comedy or Musical Film.

Other winners, nominees and presenters kept to modestly sedate, but classy, expressions of style.

Best Actress Drama winner Hilary Swank, a presumed Oscar contender for her role as an ambitious boxer in "Million Dollar Baby," wore a slinky brown satin Calvin Klein dress paired neatly with a smooth ponytail. Her husband Chad Lowe had first suggested she wear the color. Apparently, other aspects of fashion have been on her mind.

"I would like to play Coco Chanel in a film," she said.

Best Actor Drama recipient Leonardo DiCaprio (news) closely resembled his Howard Hughes character in a dashing Giorgio Armani woolen tuxedo, with Kevin Kline (news), Best Supporting Actor Clive Owen, Robin Williams, Martin Scorsese, Al Pacino, Warren Beatty (news), Steve Martin and Best Director Clint Eastwood (news) all in variations of an Armani tuxedo as well. Sexy, Scottish and heavily tanned, "Phantom of the Opera"'s Gerard Butler wore a basic Prada tuxedo, a newbie to the awards.
In a grey ruffled halter dress custom made by Donna Karan, Teri Hatcher (news) of "Desperate Houswives" celebrated her Best Comedy Series Actress win with the other ladies from ABCís hit show.

"The Golden Globes are a chance for us to all go out and party together!" said Hatcher, who beat out cast-mates Marcia Cross (news), donning brown velvet Richard Tyler and Erica Courtney jewels, and Felicity Huffman, graceful in a sparkling beige Valentino. Hatcher and Cross are donating their dresses to clothesoffourback.org, an auction to aid in the tsunami relief effort.

Glenn Close (news), winner of the Best TV Movie Actress award for "The Lion in Winter," dressed in a vintage black gown with lace cap sleeves designed for her by late friend Geoffrey Beene.

"Geoffrey died not very long ago, and I decided that I would get it out and wear it in his honor," said Close. "I wore it to the Oscars (news - web sites) one year. Itís a wonderful dress, and itís very comfortable."

Spiky haired Best Actress Musical or Comedy winner Annette Bening (news) ("Being Julia") showed off good form in a flirty black beaded Dolce & Gabbana gown, and fellow winner Anjelica Huston chose her long-sleeved black Calvin Klein over a white Stella McCartney which she said was "a little too dangerous."

"Monk" star Tony Shalhoub and his wife Brooke Adams charmed as the ultimate red carpet couple. Shalhoub paired his Canali suit with an intricately laced grey striped cravat, while Adams wore a grey Kevin Hall pants set, grey fur stole and jewelry by Martin Katz. They walked around like two young love birds.

"Arrested Development" actor and comedian David Cross (news) slung a strand of pink pearls around his neck for the show. "Iím trying to bring back a little class to Hollywood," he said. "I think Iím a little classier than him," he continued, pointing to William Shatner. "His tie label is showing."

Nominee Dennis Leary, gravely voiced in a Hugo Boss tuxedo, showed off his small New York Fire Department medal commemorating the fire fighters who died in 9/11. Singer Josh Groban (news), the voice behind Best Song nominee "Believe," laughed about following his girlfriend to "a special Chanel house" so she could try on dresses.

After winning the award for Best Director, even steely eyed "Million Dollar Baby" star Clint Eastwood cracked a smile, discussing his 16-year-old daughter handing him the statue as Miss Golden Globes, and how Hilary Swank "would be the perfect person to have as a daughter."

"You gotta say itís fun, because if itís not fun, then why the hell are you here?" asked "Million Dollar Baby" costar and Globes nominee Morgan Freeman (news) about the ceremony.

As longtime attendee and Cecil B. DeMille achievement award recipient Robin Williams put it, "The Golden Globes is kind of like foreplay for the Oscars."

But for someone new on the scene such as "Ray" actress Sharon Warren, who navigated the Hilton without a publicist leading her by the arm, the Golden Globes seems just as extravagant and momentous as the Oscars, and as an event worthy of awe.